” Whats the deal with the big wheel ?” , “Should I buy one of these? Ive been told i should ”  “Are all bikes heading to 29 inch wheels? ”

Here is a sample of questions we are peppered with daily from customers, the 29 inch wheel seams to be here to stay weather you like it or not. Truthfully, I didnt really know how to accurately answer some of these questions. I had done some research into the big wheel movement and listened to feedback from riders who own a 29er currently and formed my own poorly put together half assed theory on the whole thing. Realistically the only way to find out what all the hype was about was to ride one of these beasts…..so i did that.

I took out a Rocky Mountain Altitude 29er SE ( MSRP around $4500) loaded with all the good bits! ( Fox suspension, Formula R1 brakes, ZTR hoops and Continental Mountain King rubber)  and decided to hit up the Nordic Centre with some buddies. This is what happened…..

Seth getting his stoke on!!! (note the prototype 2013 Kona Kikapu)

It is kind of a mish mash of 24 Hours of adrenalin with a hint of orange and Coal Chute chaser! Call it what you will, its fun about 13km, and has all the makings of a nice trail ride, some climbs, rooty descents, high speed flow and some steep gnarrr!!!

 

Climb above the Nordic Centre to this lil guy

Brings you to the Ziggys climb. Bermy smooth uphill. The 29er took pretty well to it. Cruised up in middle ring fairly easily.

Once all that climbing is done you are greeted with some rocky,rooty downhill. Nector Noodle

Get ready!! Actually the bike felt pretty nice over the bumps, still fairly agile and quick. Light enough to be thrown around but still stable. Did notice a slight loss of trail “feel” but otherwise still rad!

This led into the Albertan…more fun down hill!

Keith flexing his pipes through the swamp

Next climb, Sherwood forest

Rooty up, bike held to the ground well, once you get your momentum going the big wheel keeps on a turnin’

Keith tackling the steeps outta the forest!

Breather and enjoy the view

My favourite place to be

Down to the EKG. At this point it didn’t feel like I was riding a long travel full suspension trail bike. Its hard to explain, it may be because the bike rolls over obstacles so well and because of this you lose a little bit of that connection between the ground and the bike…sounds a little spiritual I know but I definitely feel like I have to work my 26 inch bike more to get more out of my ride than I did on this bike. More effort = more reward I guess. This bike definitely smoothed out the trail…could be a good thing?

Follow that all the way down until you get to the 3 way split. Left, bermy flow/ Right, EKG single track / Middle…..COAL CHUTES!!!

Steep but grippy…everyone should try this. 29 er didnt feel big through here really at all. Handled the corners well!

from the bottom of the coal chutes you can either take the steady climb from the river back up to the Orchid trail to the Nordic Centre or bust your balls (or whatever you have!) up the George Town trail.

A fun loop with a little bit of everything!

So after all that what did I think. The 29er bike is for sure here to stay, saying that I dont see myself throwing my 26er in the garbage anytime soon. I like how a smaller wheel rides. Easy to throw around, jump, corner aggressively and yes climb! Saying that, the 29er was fun..a lot of fun and i can see how it will help improve a timid downhiller or someone who wants improve their climbing. I think a lot depends too on the bike build which directly corresponds to weight and price of a bike as well. In the end, if you buy a $4000 bike regardless of wheel size, its probably going to be a lot of fun! Hope my ramblings answer some peoples questions.

now go ride!!!!